Mi’kmaq students stage Idle No More rally at CBU

SYDNEY — Dancing a round dance of friendship and speaking out against legislation by the federal Conservative government, Mi’kmaq students at Cape Breton University held a rally on Wednesday in support of the national grassroots Idle No More movement.

Mi’kmaq students at Cape Breton University, joined by classmates and community members, held a rally at the university Wednesday in support of the Idle No More movement. Steve Wadden - Cape Breton Post

The students, who are in a Mi’kmaq governance class, wanted to raise awareness about legislation by the federal Conservative government they describe as a threat to their treaty rights and, in a wider sense, to all Canadians.

Class member Janine Christmas said the legislation is being pushed ahead without consultation with First Nations.

“These are things that not only affect our treaty rights and communities but also all Canadians,” she said.

Students wearing Idle No More T-shirts passed out information sheets to a crowd of CBU students and faculty at the rally about federal omnibus legislation called Bill C45, which was described as the bill causing greatest concern to First Nations across Canada.

A definition of aboriginal fishery in Bill C45 doesn’t recognize a moderate livelihood fishery and the bill drops protections that were in the Navigable Waters Protection Act for a list of federally protected lakes and rivers, reducing it in Nova Scotia, for instance, to just the Bras d’Or Lake, Great Bras d’Or and the LeHave River, the handout said.

The omnibus bill, which is about to be proclaimed by the Governor General, also changes how the federal government does environmental assessments in a way that could limit the role of First Nations people and alters the Indian Act when it comes to how bands may lease reserve lands to third parties. The new way of leasing land will be by “simple majority” voting.

The handout at the rally said there was no consultation on the changes to the Indian Act and chiefs feel the way they came about calls into question the honour of the Crown.

Christmas suggested a lower threshold could ease the way for the development of pipelines and power lines that are a threat to the environment and health.

First Nations have concerns about other federal legislation, she said.

The rally began with a smudging ceremony and honour song by the Stoney Bear Singers.

Christmas said there is a lot of concern among the students for Chief Theresa Spence, who has been on a six-week hunger protest in an effort to convince the country’s top leaders to take First Nations concerns more seriously.

Assistant professor Tuma Young told the rally Idle No More began as a grassroots movement by four women from Saskatchewan concerned about how federal legislation is a threat to water, the fishery and the environment.

Young said it will be supported with more events to raise awareness, demonstrations and dancing.

“We are fighting for our aboriginal and treaty rights, we are fighting for a meaningful dialogue, we are fighting for the environment, we are fighting for the next generation, we are fighting for democracy.”

Mi’kmaq students at Cape Breton University, joined by classmates and community members, held a rally at the university Wednesday in support of the Idle No More movement. Steve Wadden - Cape Breton Post

The Idlenomore movement has allies from around the world, there was a protest in the UK to target tar sands! In fact Oprah Winfrey supports the Idlenomore movement and was welcomed by the Salish territory. You can Google to confirm. To say that First Nations people are afraid to speak up because they are afraid to lose benefits is absolutely false. They are in solidarity with their leadership. In fact, leadership is encouraging community members to speak and be loud. Quit trying to be so hateful and get your sources screwed on straight.

Many First Nations people are scared to death to open their mouths against the Idle movement.They know very well it could be dangerous to them and their families.It could also mean them suffering far more than they already are.Oh,and can you explain why Chief Spence had reporters from Global TV thrown out of Attiwapiskat when they attempted to speak to the people that live there.She had her police force(aka;henchmen )escort these reporters back to the plane they flew in on.......Yes,a few uninformed people around the world support Idle no more but if they learned the truth they would hang their heads and turn away....You avoided my question.Will you answer it now?Who do you support,Chief Theresa Spence who drives a Cadillac Escalade or the people on her reserve that live in moldy leaky houses where the wind blows through during winter storms??...There is no hate here,I know where I stand and it is not with rich chiefs.It is with those that are living in squalor....You??

carolanne January

January 25, 2013 - 07:09

"Adopt the pace of Nature, her secret is patience" I for one, stand for the environment and for accountability as well. I believe that anyone who is put in a position of power should be accountable and transparent. Whether you are a Chief, a Manager of some big firm, a Director, a Priest, a Doctor, a Lawyer, a Mayor, a Police Officer etc. One should never abuse that power. Unfortunately, this misuse of power is everywhere in our society today. We see it everyday in the news. If a person cannot be trusted and they know it, they usually do, then they need to take a second look at their own integrity. If a person is lying and being untruthful, they generally know it and to continue to practice deceit is just plain evil. We can never change the face of that, it is a choice by the unscrupulous person in that position of power and trust. So, people if you know anyone in your organizations practicing a misuse of power, you should speak up and take a stand. To sit there and watch is like being part of the problem, you condone this type of behaviour. I for one, would rather be thrown out by the unscrupulous for being honest and standing up for what is right then to stand there and watch the abuse continue. I live for my Grandkids and Great Grandchildren. I want clean air, clean water and a clean place to live. I won't even attempt to speak of INM, their mission statement and their reason for being is in print all over the world. There are good points being made in this discussion and I applaud everyone for their courage to speak their minds. I stand united to save our planet for our future. Money is the root of all evil. This is all about money..right?

Realist

January 24, 2013 - 21:32

This movement will fizzle out by mid spring. Canadians as a whole are too busy working and looking after their families and worrying about the economy. I say who cares ? The environment wasn't even mentioned or talked about in the last Federal election or the US election. Move on people, its too late.

The Idle No More movement is a scam.It has no support from non natives and barely any support from natives themselves.But natives are afraid to open their mouths in public since it could be dangerous as well as cost them any potential benefits down the road that their chiefs are in charge of.The movement is about greedy chiefs being scared to death that their books will be opened up for all to see and they and their cohorts will be exposed for living the high life while the people they are supposed to share the wealth with live in squalor.Chief Theresa Spence drives a Cadillac Escalade around Attiwapiskat,the vehicle had to be delivered on a truck over an ice road.Now isn't that a good use of band money....Down with the Idle No More fraudsters.

Interesting comments from people who wish to remain anonymous. I must agree with the young articulate student, Janine Christmas. We need to educate ourselves before making comments, otherwise it sounds like a tirade blasted at many targets. Negativity is never an answer or an excuse. If one were to truly educate onself on what has been going on, you would see and know that Chief Spence is not a "poster child" for the Idle No More movement. I might suggest that Anon and Prediction go on the Idle No More site and read some of the communiques and information. If you check the net, IDLE NO MORE is gaining worldwide attention and that fact speaks for itself. As far as "silly protests" go, what is truly "silly" is hiding under the bed and making comments that do not help anyone. It makes no sense to be angry at someone you do not know, you only frustrate yourself. I commend the young lady for standing up for all Canadians. Education is the way to go. All the answers are there. Thank you to the students.

Smokescreen

January 24, 2013 - 21:33

@Carolanne January...Stop with the lie that the Idle No More movement is ''standing up for all Canadian's''....Maybe you should get some education yourself before making such a statement.You and the Idle movement do not in any way speak for Canadian's....The Idle movement is standing up for very well to do chiefs and their pals to maintain their hold on both the cash that goes to their reserves and to hide how bad they are abusing these funds to their own benefit and that is a fact.It is a shame that young naive people have been brainwashed to believe otherwise.Over 100 chiefs make a higher income than the Prime Minister does,he runs a country of 33million and they run reserves with no more than a few thousand and in many cases only a few hundred people.Why do you support these chiefs instead of those living in moldy houses where the wind blows through around the windows and doors and the roofs leak?Can you answer this question?Do you support Chief Theresa Spence driving a Cadillac Escalade around or people living in squalor?

Ki'kwaju

January 24, 2013 - 22:08

Well, SMOKESCREEN, I think it IS about standing up for all Canadians! It's about stopping Harper from removing protection from our minerals, waterways, and wildlife. ALL Canadians need to be concerned about these things. If Mark Eyeking came up with the "Idle No More" movement, the majority of Cape Breton Post readers would be in full support, but since it was an idea from the Native Reserves, it's something you have to oppose. That's quite all right. When Harper is gone, we'll still be here. Will our rivers, forests and minerals?

Smokescreen

January 24, 2013 - 22:38

@Ki'Kwaju...There will be no change to environmental practices to speak of.You are another spreading falsehoods around.How much will you lose when the books have to be opened for all to see??Idle does not speak for Canadian's and it only speaks for a minority of natives.The ones that live the high life while others suffer.

Ki'kwaju

January 24, 2013 - 23:39

WHAT? No changes to environmental practices? Give your head a shake man! Once Canada had hundreds of rivers on the protected list and now, less than 50! In the 1970s many rivers were protected to ensure fish stocks could regrow and gain strength. That has not happened, yet Harper has removed protection from those rivers! Ancient forests and parklands no longer have protection from the large corporations who want to clearcut everything! I know Cape Bretoners love fishing and hunting, but where will you do that when Canada's rivers and forests have been taken by the foreign multi-national corporations? Idle No More stands up for the preservation of Canada's Natural Resources so people like your children and grandchildren can enjoy them! Put your racism aside and see the bigger picture! By the way, I open books all the time and lose nothing. I GAIN knowlegdge when I open books.

Janine Christmas

January 24, 2013 - 11:31

Take a close look at the the firm that conducted the audit. Deloitte & Touche Sued in New York Over WG Trading Fraud and they were sued over Taylor and Bean collapse back in 2002. Who is the real fraud? Silly protest? The reason why Idlenomore exists is to educate and stand up to a government that had no business infringing not only on our treaty rights but the rights of our fellow Canadians as well. This specific omnibus bill amended Canada’s Grain Act, which decreases inspections to produce, Hazardous Materials Review (responsible for scientific regulations around what substances are deemed hazardous will be eliminated and its authority transferred to the health minister), pay raises to judges, Public Sector pension plans, to name a few. Tell me, is this what you think is worth whining for? Is your right to clean water and clean air worth it? First Nation peoples and our allies are the Canadian’s last hope for a better future for you and your children. Something to definitely think about when you tuck them in at night. Is this the Canada you envisioned? You should be thanking us for standing up for your rights,

Step 1) the chief gives up in failure and ends her media stunt, Step 2) she returns home and faces her own people who continue to shiver and starve, Step 3) she likely get's booted from her seat of power in her community, Step 4) a forensic audit ensues, providing taxpayers across this nation the concrete answers they have been waiting for, Step 5) past and present supporters of the chief everywhere hang their heads in shame, and Step 6) the idle no more movement immediately distances itself from it's former poster child.

J'wen Mikmaq

January 24, 2013 - 10:29

First Nation Pride its a thundering joy to be herd wish more Kanatian's would join the cause and stand up against the evil gov attacking the Rights of the rational people and the Land,Birds,animals ,trees,and everything that stands in their way. IDLENOMORE will change the Treaty beneficaries forever and what ever else that has been draggeg down to dry in the history books it's our time don't miss the train it may freeze over..or the plane to the Coo.Coo's Nest after all our ancestors for-told the future of the Mean Machines thousands of years before contact and now the ugly monster has emerged it's head we People are seeing destroying Earth . PS. Gather food fish & hunt in case the Gov goes all out to starve the Nation by cutting all means of survival unite with all charactors by sharing by giving the tools to change the rotten Gov's that judge peoples by their colour keep ur stick,s on the Ice and bring back PK. to the habs GO Habs Go .

I really can't wait till they drop a forensic audit on Chief Theresa Spence and her band council. That's when it'll really hit the fan. And she thought the Deloitte audit was bad! I wonder how much of an inspiration she'll be then? She's a joke and a fraud. Period.

Awesome show of support from the Youth, the future leaders. What about the partnership with Muskrat Falls Hydro Electric Dam Project? People in that area are crying to save their lands. I seem to recall reading an article about the Unamaki Office in Membertou being in support of this project. Does the Leadership in Membertou stand against this Muskrat Dam project, are they all for saving the Earth? or are they against the IDLE NO MORE movement? Perhaps these amazing young people need to raise awareness around the Muskrat Dam Project and the devastation it will cause. We should be proud of the Youth for standing up and making people take notice of what is most important to us as people, our planet.